As "Operation Chokehold" begins to take on a fantastical life of it's own among iPhone users, one nervous Facebooker has come out in support of AT&T by launching "Operation Cuckoo" early Wednesday morning.
The new Facebook group is urging others to join their band of would-be do-gooders by issuing a warning that the reality of Operation Chokehold would produce "economic hardship and personal danger." At present, the Cuckoo coalition has gained only one fan.
The message of Operation Cuckoo is clear:
"No one has a love affair with their wireless phone service provider; but you don't urge AT&T to improve its network and terms by attempting to bring it down or violating your contract with the entity. Much the same as you don't put out a fire with a gasoline shower."
"Operation Chokehold is an irresponsible coalition of childish attention seekers that could, if their mission is successful, create an engagement of economic hardship and personal danger. "
"Join this group if you feel Operation Chokehold is an ill-conceived solution to a credible problem."
The goal of "Operation Chokehold", initiated by Dan Lyons, author of the Secret Diary of Steve Jobs blog, is to bring AT&T "to its knees" by having every iPhone user fire up their huge data hogging apps starting at 12:00 noon on Friday and then running the app for an entire hour. An act of disobedience aimed at teaching AT&T a lesson for making veiled threats in the press, hinting at plans of ultimately introducing "some form of usage-based pricing." to deal with iPhone data hogs.
AT&T condemned the prank by Lyons, calling it an "irresponsible and pointless scheme to draw attention to a blog." That very public reaction by the company aimed at Lyons is already causing a wicked backlash among iPhone faithful, transforming his call for a digital flashmob protest against AT&T into a classic battle between David and Goliath, almost overnight. A Facebook group that formed on Monday to connect fanatical Operation Chokehold supporters has now grown to over 1,700 strong.
"I think the reason people are so angry goes beyond AT&T and the iPhone," Lyons rants in his response to AT&T's public criticism. "I think the anger stems from the fact that we’re living in the United States, which used to be considered a First World country, and yet we’re dealing with a wireless system that feels like something you’d find in Port-au-Prince during hurricane season." Source: FSJ
Even the Wall Street Journal has chimed in on the emerging threat aimed at the number two wireless carrier which is set to launch into full effect at noon Pacific Time on December 18th, elevating a satirical rant into a credible movement that's caught the attention of mainstream media.
It obvious that this grand buffoonery is not about to die quietly. Short of Al Sharpton bringing the two groups together for peace talks, no truce appears to be in sight. Meanwhile iPhone developers everywhere are working overtime in attempts to capitalize on the controversy by trying to create "an app for that".
[Cuckoo Clock App pictured app above] [Official OC flyer]
An behave of disobedience aimed at teaching AT&T a training for making veiled threats in the press, hinting from plans of eventually introducing "some form associated with usage-based prices.inch to deal with apple iphone data hogs.
Posted by: microsoftpoints | September 03, 2010 at 08:06 PM
It obvious that this grand buffoonery is not about to die quietly. Short of Al Sharpton bringing the two groups together for peace talks, no truce appears to be in sight.
Posted by: ClubPenguinCheats | May 30, 2010 at 08:05 PM
Here's my plan for a more sensible and productive "demonstration" :
http://thedigitallifestyle.tv/home/2009/12/16/operation-feedback-a-sensible-alternative-to-operation-choke.html
Posted by: Ryanrit | December 16, 2009 at 06:59 PM